Brasilia (global-adventures.us): The German WWII submarine U-513 has been discovered. Researchers from the Vale do Itajai University and the Kat Schurmann Institute located the U-boat on July 14, 2011 at a depth of 245 feet (75 meters) about 120 kilometers off the Brazilian coast.

U-513 sank on July 19, 1943 after an American PBM Mariner airplane (Squadron VP-74/P-5) spotted and attacked the submarine. Only 7 of the 53 crew member survived the attack, including captain Friedrich Guggenberger. The U-boat was one of 11 submarines sank by allied forces during WWII off the Brazilian coast. The type IX vessel was designed for sustained operations far from the home support facilities. Type IX submarines did have six torpedo tubes, four at the bow and two at the stern. A total of 22 torpedoes enabled the extended range U-boat to follow and strike convoys for a prolonged period of time.

The 252 feet (77 meter) long submarine could dive to depths of at least 750 feet (230 meter) and did have a range of 8,100 nautical miles (15,000 kilometers) while traveling at the surface. U-513 was built by the Deutsche Werft AG in Hamburg and commissioned on January 10, 1942. During various missions as part of the 10th Fleet, the submarine sank a total of 6 ships.

During a patrol in the Mediterranean Sea on board U-81, Friedrich Guggenberger torpedoed the British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal on November 13, 1941. Despite attempts to salvage ship and tow it to the naval base in Gibraltar, she had to be abandoned and sank on November 14, 1941.

Guggenberger rejoined the German Navy after WWII in 1956, studied at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and rose to the rank of admiral in the German Federal Navy. Eventually he became the Deputy Chief of Staff in the NATO command Allied Forces Northern Europe (AFNORTH).
source: http://www.global-adventures.us/2011/07/16/u-513-wreck-of-german-u-boat-located/

flamethrowerguy

07-17-2011, 12:28 PM

Additional info on U-513's commandant and his tragic fate:

Kapitšnleutnant FRIEDRICH GUGGENBERGER (*March 6, 1915 in Munich, +May 13, 1988 in Erlenbach). Holder of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves, commandant of U 28, U 81, U 847 and U 513. After the war he made it up to Rear Admiral in the German Bundeswehr. With U 81 Guggenberger sank the British carrier HMS Ark Royal, with U 513 he got attacked by an American aircraft. The U-Boat sank, only Guggenberger and six other crew members made it out of the boat. Being a POW in the US he failed in an attempt to escape, 4 miles away from the Mexican border he got caught. Suffering from Alzheimer's Disease he went for a walk in the woods of Erlenbach/Main on May 13, 1988. He never returned, his mummified body was found two years later, identified by his wedding ring only.
side note: some sources say his body was found five years later after he disappeared.